Ferris hockey players working to stay in shape in unique ways

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BIG RAPIDS -- Student-athletes aren't on campus but Ferris State coaches have been working around that to make sure their performers stay in good physical shape.

At Ferris State with its hockey program, that's where Dave Cencer comes in. He has been serving as strength and conditioning coach.

In his time with Ferris State hockey, Cencer has implemented the latest in sports science technology, using First Beat Technologies to monitor heart rate, energy expenditure and recovery.

Cencer also coordinates all on-ice and off-ice strength training and conditioning for the Bulldogs. Along with his efforts working with Bulldog hockey, Cencer also coordinates strength and conditioning for the FSU women's soccer program.

He holds a master's degree in exercise science along with certifications from the NSCA (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) and USA Weightlifting.

"It's been kind of an interesting process, to be honest with you," Cencer said of his summer work during the Coronavirus pandemic. "Just like everyone else in this situation, there's no real road map to figure out how to navigate this. We use an online platform with our athletes, with our hockey players. It's an app they dial in their phones. It works out well in this situation with everyone being at home.

"It allows me to give a specific workout each individual needs to get without leaving their home. Everyone has access to different things; we have some players who essentially have full weight rooms in their houses and can have a normal summer program. Then there's guys with maybe just a couple of weights. We've been creative with some guys."

He noted he had one player with extra time on his hands who made a set of dumbbells out of wood.

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"We've had to get creative with each guy," Cencer said. "You have to keep them active. They're all active. A lot of them appreciate a routine. They're so routine based during the school year and the hockey season. It's so important to keep them active physically because it gives them a base they need once things get to where they can start training again. It's important for them mentally to stay active and stick to that routine."

Cencer said he has weekly conference calls set up with each class as a hockey coaching staff. Text messages and a handful of phone calls are included to keep communicating.

"It depends on that guy but I probably hear from everybody once or twice a week," Cencer said.

Players partake in some type of workout on a regular basis.

Cencer said Ferris has 20 returning hockey players.

"A majority of the work is with those guys," he said. "We have some incoming freshmen and the NCAA, like everybody, is trying to navigate through that. Things are different than they would be in the past. We'd usually have an orientation and get them involved that way. We've handled things over the phone and the NCAA has allowed me to send them programs as well."

Under normal circumstances, after the season ends, Ferris hockey players would get a two-week break.

"Then we'd get going during the spring semester," Cencer said. "So while they're still on campus, we'd have workouts five days a week. Once exam week comes, we give them time off to focus on their studies. During the summer, there would be programs for those players still on campus and those who are at home."

Over the years, "a lot it has changed," Cencer said. "The athletes have changed quite a bit. It's different dealing with young people now. People will continue to change. A lot of it is the technology."

He's communicating with players who right now are in Europe.

"In Europe, guys can go to gyms, they just have to wear masks and practice social distancing," Cencer said.

Ice rinks generally are not accessible for his players during the pandemic, Cencer added.

"There's so much skating and so much on-ice time involved in hockey so right now maybe it's a blessing in disguise," Cencer said. "They can focus on their strength. I think there are good things that will come out of this."